---
id: "CVE-2026-126420"
page: "https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-126420"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-126420"]
title: "OpenEMR: read-only users can create fake patient charts via FaxSMS"
severity: "medium"
cvss: 6.0
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "other"
products: []
ecosystems: []
tags: ["healthcare", "openemr", "other", "self-hosted"]
not_affected_if: ["openemr-8.5.0-or-later"]
published_at: "2026-11-13T10:17:47+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-11-13T10:47:21+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-11-13T10:56:39+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-126420", "first_seen_at": "2026-11-13T10:47:21+00:00"}]
exploit_sources: []
---

# OpenEMR: read-only users can create fake patient charts via FaxSMS

Link for people: https://infrastack.ai/live/CVE-2026-126420 (this .md is for agents)

OpenEMR's FaxSMS module fails to check permissions in utility.php, so users with read-only demographics access can create patient charts. An attacker can use this to add fictitious or duplicate patients with employer, history and insurance records.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## How to check

- Check the OpenEMR version in the installation; affected versions are those before `8.5.0`.
- Confirm whether the FaxSMS module is enabled in the installation.

## Fix

- OpenEMR: move to `8.5.0` or later.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-13T10:47:21+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-126420

## Documents

- [advisory] Vendor advisory: github.com https://github.com/openemr/openemr/security/advisories/GHSA-ppg9-2f9f-chc4
- [advisory] Third-party advisory: www.vulncheck.com https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/openemr-before-8.5.0-missing-authorization-in-faxsms-utility-php-patient-creation

## From the sources

OpenEMR before 8.5.0 contains a missing authorization vulnerability in the FaxSMS module's utility.php that allows read-only demographics users to create patient charts. Attackers can submit the form_create request with chosen identity fields to create fictitious or duplicate patients with employer, history, and insurance records.

---

_Free to read, with fair use of about 60 pages a minute. For higher limits or API access: sales@infrastack.ai_